Describe your learning journey before you registered with CUC Western Riverina.

For the past few years, I have balanced full-time work and full-time study while living an hour from town and helping manage the property my partner and I run. Managing these commitments was challenging, particularly when it came to organising my time, and this had an impact on my academic results.

Since CUC Western Riverina opened in Griffith, I have been able to successfully complete all of my units and achieve multiple High Distinctions. Having access to the Centre, its facilities and academic support has made a significant difference to my studies.

How important is having CUC Western Riverina in our town and why?

Having CUC Western Riverina in our community provides local students with the support and encouragement they need to succeed in their studies. For me, the Centre has helped me stay motivated, improve my time management and work towards achieving stronger academic results.

Online study offers a great deal of flexibility, but I found that I missed the face-to-face interaction and support that comes with studying on campus. Having CUC Western Riverina locally has helped bridge that gap and given me the best of both worlds — the flexibility of online study with access to face-to-face support and a dedicated university study environment.

Did you face any challenges studying online?

When I began my degree online, I struggled with concentration and lacked confidence in my academic writing and referencing skills. Balancing study alongside my other commitments also made managing my time challenging.

Through CUC Western Riverina, I have been able to develop my academic writing, structure and referencing skills, while also learning how to manage my study more effectively. The free support provided by the Centre’s Learning Skills Advisors has helped me build greater confidence in my abilities and approach my studies with the skills I need to succeed.